Method of washing laundry

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a method of washing laundry by controlling the intensity of washing according to the temperature of washing water. In the method of washing laundry using a washing machine including a cabinet having a laundry inlet for putting the laundry in, an outer tub disposed in the cabinet for reserving a washing water, and an inner tub disposed in the outer tub for rotating the laundry, a temperature of a washing water supplied to the outer tub is sensed. Then, the intensity of washing laundry is controlled according to the sensed temperature of the washing water.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method of washing laundry, and moreparticularly, to a method of washing laundry by controlling theintensity of washing according to the temperature of washing water.

BACKGROUND ART

Korean Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2005-0117004 describes one oftypical drum-type washing machine including a cabinet, a tub disposed inthe cabinet, and a drum disposed in the tub.

Korean Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2005-0102916 describes atemperature sensing device for sensing the temperature of washing watersupplied to an outer tub in a drum-type washing machine. FIG. 4 is adiagram illustrating a temperature sensing device introduced in KoreaLaid-open Patent Publication No. 2005-0102916. As shown in FIG. 4, thetemperature sensing device includes a temperature sensor 42 for sensingthe temperature of washing water, a connector 46 connected to thetemperature sensor 42 through a lead line 44 and a power supply, and atemperature sensor cover 48 for shielding the temperature sensor 42 andthe lead line 44.

Korea Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-0057848 describes a volumesensing method for fully automatic washing machine, which senses thevolume of laundry and decides a water level according to previousinputted or stored data.

Korea Laid-open Patent Publication No. 1998-0068971 describes a methodof controlling a washing machine including a cabinet, an outer tubdisposed in the cabinet, an inner tub rotatably disposed in the outertub, and a pulsator rotatably installed at the bottom of the inner tub.

However, the methods of washing laundry according to the related artcannot reflect the characteristics of laundry such as thickness,contamination degree, and washing frequency, which vary according toseasons although the methods of washing laundry according to the relatedart can control the washing intensity such as a water level and awashing duration according to the volume of laundry after the volume oflaundry is sensed.

That is, although the same volume of the laundry is washed, winterclothes must be washed at a higher intensity and for a longer timeduration than those for summer clothes because the winter clothes aregenerally thicker and less frequently washed than the summer clothes.Such characteristics of the seasonal clothes are not reflected to themethod of controlling washing machine according to the related art.

The capability of washing laundry varies according to the temperature ofwashing water. However, the laundry is washed equally regardless of thetemperature of washing water. Accordingly, the washing efficiencythereof may deteriorate.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is achieved to solve the above problems. An objectof the present invention is to provide a method of washing laundry forimproving the washing efficiency by differently washing laundry, whichhas characteristics varied according to the seasons, based on thetemperature of the washing water, which varies according to the seasons.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofwashing laundry by controlling the intensity of washing according to thetemperature of the washing water although the weight of the laundry isthe same.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofwashing laundry differently according to the temperature of the washingwater for improving the washing efficiency.

In order to achieve the above-described objects of the invention, thereis provided a method of washing laundry using a washing machineincluding a cabinet having a laundry inlet for putting the laundry in,an outer tube disposed in the cabinet for reserving a washing water, andan inner tub disposed in the outer tub for rotating the laundry, themethod including the steps of: a) sensing a temperature of a washingwater supplied to the outer tub; and b) controlling intensity of washinglaundry according to the sensed temperature of the washing water.

The intensity of washing may be controlled in inverse proportion to thetemperature of the washing water.

In the step b), a season may be determined according to the temperatureof the washing water, and the intensity of washing laundry may becontrolled according to the determined season.

In the step b), at least one of a rotating speed and a rotating time ofthe inner tub may be controlled according to the temperature of thewashing water.

In the step b), the rotating speed of an inner tub may be controlled ininverse proportion to the temperature of the washing water. As describedabove, the intensity of washing is controlled. In the present invention,the rotating speed and the rotating time means one of means to controlthe intensity of washing. The intensity of washing can be controlled bycontrolling the volume of a washing water, or a time of performing awashing cycle, a rinsing cycle, and a spin-drying cycle.

In the step b), the rotating time of the inner tub may be controlled ininverse proportion to the temperature of the washing water.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a methodof washing laundry using a washing machine including a cabinet having alaundry inlet for putting the laundry in, an outer tub disposed in thecabinet for reserving a washing water, and an inner tub disposed in theouter tub for rotating the laundry, the method including the steps of:a) sensing volume of laundry putted in the inner tub; b) supplying awashing water to the laundry; c) sensing a temperature of the suppliedwashing water; and d) controlling intensity of washing laundry, which isdecided according to the sensed volume, by reflecting a season that isdetermined according to the sensed temperature of the washing water. Forexample, if the temperature of the washing water is about 5° C., it isdetermined that a current season is winter so as to determine that thelaundry is thick clothes. If the temperature of the washing water isabout 18° C., it is determined that a current season is summer so as todetermine that the laundry is thin clothes.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided amethod of washing laundry using a washing machine including a cabinethaving a laundry inlet for putting the laundry in, an outer tub disposedin the cabinet for reserving a washing water, and an inner tub disposedin the outer tub for rotating the laundry, the method including thesteps of: a) supplying washing water to the laundry; b) sensing atemperature of the supplied washing water; and c) determining whetherthe laundry is thick or thin according to the temperature of the washingwater. For example, if the temperature of the washing water is lowerthan about 6° C., it is determined that the laundry is thick clothes. Ifthe temperature of the washing water is higher than 6° C. and lower thanabout 15° C., the laundry is washed under normal conditions. If thetemperature of the washing water is higher than about 15° C., it isdetermined that the laundry is thin clothes. Such a temperature rangemay vary according to regions, nations, and type of washing water suchas a tap water, a underground water, and a water reserved in a watertank.

The method may further include the step of: d) sensing volume of thelaundry before the step a); and e) washing laundry based on the volumeof the laundry and the determination of the step c).

In the step c), a season may be determined according to the temperatureof the washing water, and the laundry may be determined whether it isthick or thin according to the determined season.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided amethod of washing laundry using a washing machine including a cabinethaving a laundry inlet for putting the laundry in, an outer tub disposedin the cabinet for reserving a washing water, and an inner tub disposedin the outer tub for rotating the laundry, the method including thesteps of: a) sensing volume of laundry putted in the inner tub; b)supplying a washing water to the laundry; c) sensing a temperature ofthe washing water supplied to the outer tub; and d) controlling at leastone of a rotating speed and a rotating time of an inner tub, which aredecided according to the sensed volume, according to the temperature ofthe washing water.

In the step d), the rotating speed of the inner tub may be controlled ininverse proportion to the temperature of the washing water, or therotating time of the inner tub may be controlled in inverse proportionto a temperature of the washing water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become better understood with reference tothe accompanying drawings which are given only by way of illustrationand thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting a washing machine according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method of washing laundry according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling the intensityof washing, which is included in a method of washing laundry accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a temperature sensing device includedin a drum-type washing machine introduced in Korean Laid-open PatentPublication No. 2005-0102916.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A method of washing laundry in accordance with preferred embodiments ofthe present invention will now be described in detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, a drum-type washing machine will be described as an examplethat a method of washing laundry according to the present embodiment isapplied to. However, the method of washing laundry according to thepresent embodiment can be applied to a direct-connection type washingmachine or a pulsator-type washing machine

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a washing machine according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the washing machine according to the presentembodiment includes a cabinet 10, an outer tub 20, an inner tub 30, amotor 40, a water supply passage 50, a drain passage 50, a sensor 52,and a controller 70.

The cabinet 10 provides a room for reserving laundry and includes alaundry inlet 12 for enabling a user to put the laundry in the cabinet10. In the present embodiment, the laundry inlet 12 is formed at thefront side of the cabinet 10 in a circle shape, and a door 14 isdisposed at the front side of the cabinet 10 to open or close thelaundry inlet 12. Preferably, a gasket 16 is disposed between thelaundry inlet 12 and the door 14 in order to prevent the washing waterfrom being leaked.

The outer tub 20 is disposed in the cabinet 10 for reserving the washingwater. In the present embodiment, the outer tub 20 has a form ofcylinder with one side closed. The outer tub 20 is fixedly disposed inthe cabinet 10, connected to the water supply passage 50 for supplyingthe washing water, and connected to the drain passage 60 for flowing outthe washing water.

The inner tub 30 is disposed inside the outer tub 20 for rotating thelaundry. In the present embodiment, the inner tub 30 has a shapecorresponding to that of the outer tub 20 to smoothly rotate inside theouter tub 20. The inner tub 30 includes a plurality of holes formed onthe circumference side thereof for letting the washing water in theouter tub 20 to flow in and out. Accordingly, the laundry in the innertub 30 is washed while the inner tub 30 rotates inside the outer tub 20.Also, the inner tub 30 includes lifts 32 for lifting the laundry up bythe rotation of the inner tub 30.

The motor 40 is disposed at the outer tub 20 with the inner tub 30connected thereto for rotating the inner tub 30 inside the outer tub 20.

The water supply passage 50 supplies the washing water to the outer tub20. In the present embodiment, the water supply passage 50 is connectedto the outer tub 20 for supplying the washing water to the outer tub 20and has a valve 54 for controlling the volume of the washing water inthe outer tub 20. The water supply passage 50 is connected to adetergent box 18 disposed at one side of the cabinet 10 to supplydetergent with the washing water.

The drain passage 60 drains the washing water from the outer tub 20. Inthe present embodiment, the drain passage 60 is connected to the outertub 20 for draining the washing water from the outer tub 20, and adrainer is disposed to control the volume of the washing water drainedthrough the drain passage 60. In the present embodiment, a pump 64 isused as the drainer.

The sensor 52 senses the temperature of the washing water. In thepresent embodiment, the sensor 52 is disposed on the water supplypassage 50 and measures the temperature of washing water flowing throughthe water supply passage 50. The sensor 52 may be directly disposed atthe outer tub 20 for directly sensing the temperature of the washingwater.

The controller 70 is connected to the motor 40, the sensor 52, the valve54, and the pump 64 for controlling the intensity level of washinglaundry. In the present embodiment, the controller 70 controls therotating speed and the rotating time of the motor 40 according to thesensed temperature of the washing water and controls the operations ofthe valve 54 and the pump 64.

Hereinafter, a method of washing laundry according to an embodiment ofthe present invention will be described.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of washing laundry accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. The method of washing laundryaccording to the present embodiment includes a volume sensing step S5, afirst water supplying step S10, a washing step S20, a first spin-dryingstep S30, a first draining step S40, a second water supplying step S50,a rinsing step S60, a second draining step S80, and a second spin-dryingstep S90.

At the volume sensing step S5, the volume of a washing water in theinner tub 30 is sensed using the well-know method. Based on the sensedvolume of the washing water, predetermined conditions are set forcontrolling overall washing processes including a water supplyingprocess, a washing process, a drain process, and a spin-dry process.

At the first water supplying step S10, the washing water is supplied tothe outer tub 20. In the present embodiment, the washing water issupplied to the outer tub 20 through the water supply passage as much asthe volume decided by sensing the volume of the washing water putted inthe inner tub 30 at the step S10.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling the intensityof washing, which is included in a method of washing laundry accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, at step S1, the sensor 52 disposed on the watersupply passage 5 senses the temperature of the washing water, which wassupplied at the step S10.

After the washing water is completely supplied into the outer tub 20 atthe first water supply step S10 in FIG. 2, the laundry is washed byrotating the inner tub 30 at step S20. In the present embodiment, at thestep S20, the washing intensity is controlled according to thetemperature of the washing water, which is sensed at the step S10. Thatis, at the step S20, the motor 40 continuously rotates the inner tub 30with the lifts 32, and the lifts 32 lift up and fall down the laundry,thereby washing the laundry. At least one of the rotating speed and therotating time of the inner tub 30 are controlled according to the sensedtemperature of the washing water in order to control the washingintensity at step S20.

Referring to FIG. 3 again, if the sensed temperature of the washingwater is low, for example, about 5° C., at step S2, it is determinedthat the thickness of the laundry is thick and the washing frequency islow. According to the determination, the inner tub 30 rotates at ahigher rotating speed or the inner tub 30 rotates for a longer time thana preset washing time by increasing the previously set washing time by apredetermined time at step S3. For example, the inner tub 30 rotates forabout 35 minutes by increasing 30 minutes of the preset washing timethat is set at S5 by 5 minutes. On the contrary, if the washing watertemperature sensed at the step S10 is comparative high, for example,about 18° C., at step S2, it is determined that the thickness of thelaundry is thin and the washing frequency is high. According to thedetermination, the inner tub 30 rotates at a low rotating speed orrotates for a time shorter than a previously set washing time byreducing the previously set washing time by a predetermined time at stepS4. For example, the inner tub 30 rotates for 20 minutes by reducing 25minutes of the preset washing time that is set at the step S5 by 5minutes. Then, the washing step S20 is terminated.

Referring to FIG. 2, after the washing step S20 is terminated, thewashing water in the outer tub 20 is drained at step S30. In the presentembodiment, the pump 64 is driven for draining the washing water in theouter tub 20 through the drain passage 60.

At the first spin-drying step S40, the laundry is spin-dried by rotatingthe inner tub 30. In the present embodiment, the inner tub 30 rotates athigh speed for spin-drying the laundry at the first spin-drying stepS40. The washing water dehydrated from the laundry is drained from theouter tub 20 through the drain passage 60. In the present embodiment,the intensity of spin-drying the laundry can be controlled bycontrolling at least one of the rotating speed and the rotating time ofthe inner tub 30 for spin drying the laundry according to the sensedwashing water temperature at step S40.

The washing cycle including the first water supplying step S10, thewashing step S20, the first draining step S30, and the first spin-dryingstep S40 may be performed in several times for increasing the intensityof washing laundry.

At the second water supplying step S50, washing water is supplied to theouter tub 20 to rinse the laundry. In the present invention, the washingwater is supplied to the outer tub 20 through the water supply passage50 at the step S50.

At the rinsing step S60, the laundry rotates with the washing waterputted in the inner tub 30. In the present embodiment, the laundryrotates with the inner tub 30 at step S60, thereby rinsing the laundrywith the washing water. In the present embodiment, the intensity ofrinsing the laundry is controlled by controlling at least one of therotating speed and the rotating time of the inner tub 30 for rinsing thelaundry according to the sensed temperature of the washing water, whichis sensed at the step S10, at the rinse step S60.

At the second draining step S80, the washing water in the outer tub 20for the rinsing step S60 is drained. In the present embodiment, the pump64 disposed on the drain passage 60 is completely opened and the washingwater in the outer tub 20 is completely drained at step S80.

At the second spin-drying step S90, the laundry is spin-dried byrotating the inner tub 30 after the washing water is completely drainedout. In the present embodiment, the inner tub 30 rotates at low speed orat a predetermined interval at the beginning of the step S90, then, theinner tub 30 rotates at a high speed to spin-dry the laundry in order toreduce the vibration generated by the partial disposition of thelaundry.

The spin-drying cycle including the first spin-drying step S40 and thesecond spin-drying step S90 may be performed several times in order toincrease the intensity of washing laundry.

As described above, the method of washing laundry according to anembodiment of the present invention can improve the washing efficiencyby differently washing laundry, which has characteristics variedaccording to the seasons, based on the temperature of the washing water,which varies according to the seasons.

The method of washing laundry according to an embodiment of the presentinvention can control the intensity of washing laundry according to thetemperature of the washing water although the weight of the laundry isthe same.

The method of washing laundry according to an embodiment of the presentinvention can improve the washing efficiency by washing laundrydifferently according to the temperature of the washing water.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it is understood that the present invention should not belimited to these preferred embodiments but various changes andmodifications can be made by one skilled in the art within the spiritand scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.

1. A method of washing laundry using a washing machine including acabinet having a laundry inlet for putting the laundry in, an outer tubdisposed in the cabinet for reserving a washing water, and an inner tubdisposed in the outer tub for rotating the laundry, the methodcomprising the steps of: a) sensing a temperature of a washing watersupplied to the outer tub; and b) controlling intensity of washinglaundry according to the sensed temperature of the washing water.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the intensity of washing is controlled ininverse proportion to the temperature of the washing water.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein in the step b), a season is determinedaccording to the temperature of the washing water, and the intensity ofwashing laundry is controlled according to the determined season.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein in the step b), at least one of a rotatingspeed and a rotating time of the inner tub is controlled according tothe temperature of the washing water.
 5. The method of claim 4, whereinin the step b), the rotating speed of an inner tub is controlled ininverse proportion to the temperature of the washing water.
 6. Themethod of claim 4, wherein in the step b), the rotating time of theinner tub is controlled in inverse proportion to the temperature of thewashing water.
 7. A method of washing laundry using a washing machineincluding a cabinet having a laundry inlet for putting the laundry in,an outer tub disposed in the cabinet for reserving a washing water, andan inner tub disposed in the outer tub for rotating the laundry, themethod comprising the steps of: a) sensing volume of laundry putted inthe inner tub; b) supplying a washing water to the laundry; c) sensing atemperature of the supplied washing water; and d) controlling intensityof washing laundry, which is decided according to the sensed volume, byreflecting a season that is determined according to the sensedtemperature of the washing water.
 8. A method of washing laundry using awashing machine including a cabinet having a laundry inlet for puttingthe laundry in, an outer tub disposed in the cabinet for reserving awashing water, and an inner tub disposed in the outer tub for rotatingthe laundry, the method comprising the steps of: a) supplying washingwater to the laundry; b) sensing a temperature of the supplied washingwater; and c) determining whether the laundry is thick or thin accordingto the temperature of the washing water.
 9. The method of claim 8,further comprising the step of: d) sensing volume of the laundry beforethe step a); and e) washing laundry based on the volume and thedetermination of the step c).
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein in thestep c), a season is determined according to the temperature of thewashing water, and the laundry is determined whether it is thick or thinaccording to the determined season.
 11. A method of washing laundryusing a washing machine including a cabinet having a laundry inlet forputting the laundry in, an outer tub disposed in the cabinet forreserving a washing water, and an inner tub disposed in the outer tubfor rotating the laundry, the method comprising the steps of: a) sensingvolume of laundry putted in the inner tub; b) supplying a washing waterto the laundry; c) sensing a temperature of the washing water suppliedto the outer tub; and d) controlling at least one of a rotating speedand a rotating time of an inner tub, which are decided according to thesensed volume, according to the temperature of the washing water. 12.The method of claim 11, wherein in the step d), the rotating speed ofthe inner tub is controlled in inverse proportion to the temperature ofthe washing water.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein in the step d),the rotating time of the inner tub is controlled in inverse proportionto a temperature of the washing water.